The name is kind of weird, but these Energy Balls are both tasty and healthy! This recipe got two thumbs up from my two grown children, both of whom are very health-conscious. They tend to view food as a source of nutrition and energy, rather than something to be enjoyed. That’s why I was glad to find a healthy snack they both liked. Honestly, these little treats taste like an indulgence, but they’re packed with ingredients that are good for you.

I found this recipe on a favorite site (Allrecipes.com) and decided to give it a try. I did tweak the recipe somewhat, to add even more healthy ingredients to the mix. I’ll definitely make them again. They’re a great mid-day snack, but they’re also high in protein, so they’d be a good choice after a workout. These energy balls contain several powerhouse foods, including rolled oats, flaxseeds and chia seeds. The health benefits of oatmeal are well-known; it has potent cholesterol-fighting properties. Flaxseeds are high in fiber and antioxidants and chia seeds contain high levels of protein, calcium and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. Ground cinnamon gives these energy balls a nice depth of flavor. Plus, cinnamon has bacterial and fungal-fighting properties. It’s even been shown in some studies to help fight Alzheimer’s disease!

The unsweetened cocoa powder contains minerals that help support your heart, bones and immune system, such as iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc. Organic honey keeps the whole thing sweet, with the added benefit of improving recovery time for athletic performance. Plus, honey contains both flavonoids and antioxidants. The almond butter and almonds provide a good source of protein, which can help repair your muscles following a workout. In short, you can’t go wrong with these sweet little snacks.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix thoroughly. Wet your hands and roll the mixture into golf-ball sized balls. You’ll definitely want to keep your hands wet during this process because the mixture is really sticky. This recipe makes approximately one dozen energy balls. Store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!